Shloka 27
मायामृगप्रकरणम्
The Illusory Deer Episode: Ravana and Maricha at Rama’s Hermitage
मृगयूथैरनुगतः पुनरेव निवर्तते।सीतादर्शनमाकांक्षन्राक्षसो मृगतां गतः।।3.42.27।।परिभ्रमति चित्राणि मण्डलानि विनिष्पतन्।
mṛgayūthair anugataḥ punar eva nivartate |
sītādarśanam ākāṅkṣan rākṣaso mṛgatāṃ gataḥ || 3.42.27 ||
paribhramati citrāṇi maṇḍalāni viniṣpatan |
Seguido por manadas de ciervos, volvía una y otra vez; el rākṣasa, que había tomado forma de ciervo, anhelaba que Sītā lo viera y, saltando, giraba en círculos maravillosos.
Followed by herds of deer and coming back to see Sita again and again, the deer cavorted and pranced and frisked in circles in a wonderful way.
FAQs
The verse shows adharma exploiting desire and attention; dharma is strengthened by controlling what we ‘seek to see’ and recognizing when attention is being deliberately hijacked.
Mārīca repeatedly returns, blending with deer herds and performing captivating movements so Sītā will notice him.
Inner discipline (saṃyama): mastery over curiosity and attraction that can lead one away from safety and duty.